University inspired by Welsh culture

Cardiff University will explore Welsh culture past and present at the 2019 National Eisteddfod in Conwy county.

Events will examine Welsh language, poetry, heritage, identity and much else, at the University tent on the Maes.

Science is also prominent, with visitors to the tent and Science Village able to take part in hands-on activities that showcase the University’s research and teaching.

Other highlights include the University’s annual media debate - featuring new Golwg chief executive Sian Powell - the return of our digital news service Llais y Maes (Voice of the Maes) and analysis of Wales’ economic performance.

The University’s presence is part of our ‘civic mission’ commitment to Welsh language and culture.

The 2019 National Eisteddfod takes place in Llanrwst from 3-10 August 2019.

Several University activities examine aspects of the Welsh language, including the opportunity to explore a major language resource - the National Corpus of Contemporary Welsh, or Corpws Cenedlaethol Cymraeg Cyfoes (CorCenCC).

The corpus is nearing its target of 10 million words of contemporary Welsh and will be demonstrated ahead of being fully launched next year.

CorCenCC events take place on Tuesday 6 August and Wednesday 7 August at the Cardiff University tent and on the same days at the Societies tent.

Head of the School of Welsh, Dr Dylan Foster Evans, will examine the use of the language as seen via walls, graffiti and castles. His talk takes place on Thursday 8 August.

Political philosopher Dr Huw Williams, Dean of Welsh at the University, investigates a fascinating period of Welsh history which resonates with a contemporary audience.

Dr Williams’s story kicks off in the 16th century with one of Llanrwst’s famous former residents, Welsh scholar William Salesbury, best known for his work translating the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer into Welsh.

Wales, England & Llanrwst: Contemporary Identities through the Humanist Looking Glass takes place at the University tent on Thursday 8 August.

If you have ever pondered the finer points of Welsh language poetry then 2017 Eisteddfod Chair winner Osian Rhys Jones aims to debunk a few myths in his talk on Wednesday 7 August.

His whistle-stop tour of cynghanedd will allow visitors to learn about this much celebrated – and sometimes misunderstood - form of Welsh poetry.

This year’s School of Journalism, Media and Culture (JOMEC) debate considers the future of print journalism in Wales with a high-profile panel of industry experts, including new Golwg chief executive Sian Powell.

The former Cardiff University student and lecturer starts her new role during Eisteddfod week so her views on the industry will be keenly awaited. The event takes place on Friday 9 August at the University tent.

The University’s digital news service for the National Eisteddfod, Llais y Maes, in which Cardiff University students work alongside industry professionals, returns for the seventh year.

Two former Llais y Maes ‘graduates’, Liam Ketcher and Ellen Davies, who now work for ITV Cymru Wales, will be supporting the students and sharing their skills.

Other highlights include:

• The University’s Medicines Discovery Institute explores the design of innovative medicines of the future in a lively discussion (Monday 5 August, Cardiff University tent); The Institute is also explaining the journey through the process of creating new medicines (Saturday 3 August to Tuesday 6 August, Science Village)
• Police services, law courts and prisons have borne some of the largest spending cuts since the start of austerity measures in 2010. Join Guto Ifan from the University’s Wales Governance Centre for a talk and debate about public spending on the justice system in Wales (Monday 5 August, Cardiff University tent).
• Guto Ifan and Cian Sion, of Wales Governance Centre, discuss how austerity has affted UK, Welsh and local government spending; the effect of devolving taxes; and the outlook for public spending (Tuesday 6 August, Societies tent 1)
• In partnership with the Stroke Association, Cardiff University Medical Students will take your blood pressure and offer advice (Tuesday 6 August and Wednesday 7 August, Cardiff University tent)
• Dr Andrew Connell, from the Wales Centre for Public Policy, explains how youth homelessness in Wales can be prevented (Tuesday 6 August, Cardiff University tent)
• Professor Arwyn Jones is this year presenting the National Eisteddfod science lecture and will recount how Conwy Valley tadpoles inspired his passion for biology while growing up in Llanrwst and his subsequent journey of international research (Thursday 8 August, Societies Tent 2)
• Cardiff University alumni are invited to a reception offering a chance to meet your fellow alumni, socialise and share stories of your time at Cardiff and lives since (Friday 9 August, Cardiff University tent)

The University once again has a series of fun and educational hands-on activities at the Eisteddfod Science Village:

• Visit the Fantastic Antibodies Exhibition to find out, with the help of a priceless sheep called Darwen, how antibodies protect us from bugs and how she is helping us to make antibody medicines
• We all have red and blue blood but it is not the same stuff – discover how antibodies are used to barcode your blood and how blood donations save lives
• Find out why honeybees have near-magical powers and are inspiring the next generation of Welsh scientists
• Surprise your friends and family with lifelike wounds painted by the University’s Cardiff Institute for Tissue Engineering and Repair
• Discover how polymers have amazing properties that can be used to make water-loving nappies, water-hating rugby balls and materials for healing humans